Dental vacuum system assembly and process incorporating an amalgam separation chamber

ABSTRACT

A dental vacuum system for use in dental operatories wherein a dental aspirator tip and in the dental operatory is in fluid communication with a vacuum means for providing suction to the system, there being interposed between the aspirator tip and the vacuum means a separation chamber for the separation of effluent, and solids, including amalgam and other particulate matter from the air stream, the separation chamber being in communication with a collection chamber for the separation collection of solids, amalgam and other particulate matter, from the effluent which is discharged, the collection chamber being removably replaceable from the system for the recycling of the contents.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of applicationSer. No. 10/171,763, filed Jun. 17, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,790,038which application claimed the benefit of provisional application60/300,105, filed Jun. 25, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to dental care facilities and inparticular to a central vacuum system for dental care operatoriesincorporating an integrated amalgam separation system.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Modern dental facilities usually include multiple operatories and acentral vacuum system. Dental aspirator tips are provided at eachoperatory for disposition in the patient's oral cavity to removeaerosols, liquids, solid debris and odors from the patient's mouth.Typical conventional dental vacuum systems have been far from ideal fromthe standpoints of noise output, vacuum intensity and flow ratecharacteristics, efficiency, reliability and recovery of amalgam metals,and particulate matter used or generated in the dental process.

Additionally, environmental laws at some locations now have incorporatedmandatory amalgam separation in the dental suction system. The dentalvacuum system of the present invention as described herein incorporatesan air/liquid separation tank having an integral sedimentation amalgamseparator and collector insuring capatability of the system with thecurrent state of the law.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide for a novel dentalvacuum system for the efficient evacuation of aerosols, liquids, soliddebris and odors from the patient's mouth in a dental operatory.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide for anovel dental vacuum system having a novel air/liquid/solids separationtank which incorporates an integral amalgam separation and collectioncapability which is removably replaceable from the system.

A further object of the present invention is to provide for a noveldental vacuum system for a dental operatory which allows amalgamseparation and collection when no vacuum is present in the system.

A further object of the present invention is to provide for a noveldental vacuum system which controls the residence time in the amalgamseparation chamber to allow separation and collection to occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A dental vacuum system for use in dental operatories in which a dentalaspirator tip in the dental operatory is in fluid communication with avacuum means for providing suction to the system, there being interposedbetween the dental aspirator tip and the vacuum means, a separationchamber for the separation of effluent and solids including amalgam fromthe air stream. Solids including amalgam and liquids are collected inthe separation chamber while air is passed through for eventual ventingto the atmosphere. In the absence of vacuum or when no vacuum isrequired in the operatories, contaminated water and solids includingamalgam are drawn out to an amalgam separation and collection chamber.Contaminated water is drawn off to the drain through an orifice platecontrolling residence time in the amalgam separation and collectionchamber, and the process repeats itself until the amalgam collectionchamber has accumulated its maximum amount of solids, including amalgam.It is then prepped for recycle and replaced with an empty amalgamcollection chamber and the full chamber is sent out for recovery ofprecious metals and proper disposal of hazardous material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a typical dental vacuum system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a dental vacuum system of thepresent invention including an amalgam separator.

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the removal of a spent amalgamcollection chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a prior art dental vacuum system 10.During the course of a dental procedure, gases, liquids and solids areremoved from each dental operatory 12 and 14, by means of a dentalaspirator tip 13 and 15 which are disposed within the patient's oralcavity. Gases, liquids, and solids, including amalgam under vacuum orsuction are transported via conduit 18 to a separation tank 20. Disposedin conduit 18 before the separation tank 20 may be a solids collector 22which allows gas and liquids to pass through, but interrupts the flow oflarge particulate solids and causes them to fall into the collectorunder the influence of gravity for later collection and disposal. Thegas and liquids are introduced into the separator tank through inletport 23 wherein the liquids and small particulate matter accumulate inthe bottom of the tank and are subsequently drained through drain outlet24 through conduit 26 to a sewer drain 28. A check valve 30 ispositioned in conduit 26 to prevent any back flow.

The gas introduced into separation tank 20 exits separation tank 20through a gas or air outlet port 32 to exit conduit 34 which is incommunication with the vacuum pump 36 which provides the vacuum andsuction to the overall system. The gas thus drawn through the system isthen evacuated to the atmosphere through conduit 38. There is positionedbetween separator tank 20 and a vacuum pump 36 a vacuum relief valve 40.

The solids collector 22 and its location in the flow plan oftentimespresents problems in that not all solids are collected and as a resultof environmental codes operatories must insure that no amalgam or metalsare discharged into the sewer system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a dental vacuum system of the present invention withthe separation chamber of the present invention further incorporating anamalgam collection chamber. The system consists of aseparation/sedimentation tank 50, and an amalgam collection chamber 52.

In operation, liquids, solids and gases enter theseparation/sedimentation tank 50 through conduit 62 from the operatorieswhen the vacuum system is in operation. The solids and liquids arecollected and the gases are removed via conduit 64 by a vacuum pump 56in accordance with previous description.

The solids and liquids from sedimentation tank 50 are removed under oneof two circumstances. First, when a vacuum is no longer required and thevacuum pump 56 is turned off Second, when float valve 58 seals theentrance to conduit 64 due to accumulated liquid or foam in separationtank 50. Either circumstance results in the formation of layers orlevels within tank 50, a sedimentation layer 66, and a layer ofcontaminated water 68.

A control valve 80 is normally open to permit the sedimentation/solids66 and contaminated liquids 68 to enter a solids/amalgam collectionchamber 52 via conduit 69. The effluent is held in chamber 52 by checkvalve 67 when vacuum is present. The control valve 80 is closed whenchamber 52 is being replaced. The preferred amalgam collection chamber52 is of the type described in International Application PCT/SE98/00685as published on Oct. 22, 1998, publication number WO98/46324 and theteachings thereof are incorporated herein by reference.

The solid sedimentation 66 and contaminated liquids 68 are allowed tofurther separate in the amalgam collection chamber 52. The contaminatedwater is then drawn off via conduit 60 to the sewer 70, there beingpositioned in conduit 60 a check valve 67, which is closed when vacuumis being drawn in the separation chamber 50. The residence time of thesolid sedimentation 66 and contaminated liquids 68 in amalgam separationchamber 52 is controlled by orifice plate 51 in conduit 60 which servesto retard the flow of contaminated liquids 68, allowing sufficientresident time in amalgam separation chamber 52 for the gravitationalsettling and collection of solids 66.

The aforesaid cycle is repeated under the two circumstances heretoforestated until the amalgam collection chamber 52 becomes fully chargedwith particulate matter or solid sedimentation 66. The amalgamcollection chamber 52 is then replaced with a duplicate, and the fullycharged chamber 52 is sent to be recycled and processed for the recoveryof the amalgam and other metals found therein, and proper disposal ofhazardous materials.

FIG. 3 illustrates the manner of removal of an exhausted or spentamalgam collection chamber 52 so as to permit replacement and recyclethe exhausted amalgam collection chamber. The process requires the powerto the vacuum pump 56 be turned off and separation tank 50 be allowed todrain completely, or in the alternative the shut off valve 80 locatedbetween the separation tank 50 and the amalgam collection chamber 52would be closed. The inlet conduit 69 to amalgam collection chamber 52is disengaged from the adaptor 90 and O ring 91 on the inlet port 94 ofthe collection chamber 52. Using a funnel assembly 96 attached to thecollection container inlet port 94, two liters of disinfectant solutionis introduced into the amalgam collection chamber 52.

Once the two liters of disinfectant solution have been introduced, thefunnel assembly 96 is removed, as is the adaptor assembly 90 and O ring91. A shipping cap (not shown) is then placed on the inlet port 94. Atthis time, the outlet conduit 60, the outlet adaptor and the outletoriface plate 51 with O ring 100 are removed. A second shipping cap (notshown) is placed on the outlet port 104 of chamber 52. The spentcollection chamber 52 is then placed in a zip lock bag and styrofoamcontainer for shipping for recycling. The replacement container ispositioned and the associated adaptors, O rings and restrictor platesare secured to the respective inlet and outlet ports. Power can then bereturned to the system and respective valves returned to their propersettings.

The assembly and process disclosed insures that solids, amalgam andparticulate matter from the dental operatory are collected prior to thedischarge of any liquids or effluents into the sewer. Thus thepossibilities of hazardous materials entering into the sewer system andwater system is minimized, if not eliminated. The assembly and processinsures that there is no interruption to the dental technician's workand that only air is drawn from the separation chamber and notdeleterious liquids or solids which could damage the vacuum means.

While the present invention has been described with respect to theexemplary embodiment thereof, it will be recognized by those of ordinaryskill in the art that many modifications and changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore it ismanifestly intended that the invention be limited only by the claims andthe equivalence thereof.

1. An assembly for collection and removal of solids, amalgam andparticulate matter from a dental operatory air stream created by avacuum means comprising: a first separation chamber positioned between avacuum means and said dental operatory, said first separation having aninlet means for the introduction of air, effluent, solids, amalgam andparticulate matter from said dental operatory, a first outlet means incommunication with said vacuum source for the exhaust of said air, saidfirst outlet means closed or opened by a float valve within saidseparation chamber; a second outlet means and valve means from saidfirst separation chamber in communication with a second chamber for theexhaust of effluent, solids, amalgam and particulate matter to saidsecond chamber for the separation of effluent from solids, amalgam andparticulate matter and collection of solids, amalgam and particulatematter by gravitational sedimentation in the said second chamber, anoutlet means from said second chamber for said fluid discharge to asewer, said second chamber removably replaceable allowing for therecycling and recovery of solids, amalgam and particulate mattercollected therein; an orifice plate in said outlet means of said secondchamber retarding the flow of effluent to establish a residence time insaid second chamber for the gravitational sedimentation of said solids,amalgam and particulate matter.
 2. An assembly in accordance with claim1 wherein said outlet means from said second chamber is fitted with acheck valve preventing back flow from said sewer.
 3. A method for thecollection and removal of effluent, solids, amalgam and particulatematter from a dental operatory air stream created by a vacuum meanscomprising: a) establishing conduit communication between a vacuum meansand a dental operatory; b) positioning a first separation chamber insaid conduit communication between said vacuum means and said dentaloperatory, said first separation chamber conduit communication meanswith said vacuum means interruptable by a float valve; c) drawing avacuum by means of said vacuum means from said dental operatory throughsaid first separation chamber; d) collecting effluent, solids, amalgamand particulate matter in said first separation chamber and permittingsaid residual air stream to exit to said vacuum means; e) positioning asecond separation chamber in communication with said first separationchamber via a conduit and valve means; f) exhausting said fluid, solids,amalgam and particulate matter from said first separation chamber tosaid second separation chamber in the absence of a drawn vacuum or whensaid float valve interrupts said vacuum; g) collecting said solids,amalgam and particulate matter in said second separation chamber bygravitational sedimentation; h) exhausting said fluid from said secondseparation chamber via a conduit containing an orifice plate forretarding effluent flow to establish a sufficient residence time forgravitational sedimentation in said second separation chamber; i)replacing said second separation chamber when full; and j) recyclingsaid replaced second separation chamber for recovery of said solids,amalgam and particulate matter.
 4. The method in accordance with claim 3wherein steps f through j are repeated as required by step i.